FET (Free Timetabling Software) is a well-established desktop application many departments turn to for generating academic schedules, and it’s a genuinely capable tool. But installing desktop software, learning its interface, and setting up a project file is a bigger first step than some scheduling tasks actually need.
What FET is built for
FET is a dedicated timetabling application that handles complex constraint-based scheduling — subjects, teachers, rooms, and time slots, with rules for what can and can’t overlap. It’s a solid choice for institutions doing full-scale, department-wide timetabling with many interacting constraints, since its solving engine is purpose-built for exactly that kind of problem.
What a browser-based alternative covers
For a smaller, faster scheduling task — one class group, one department’s weekly timetable, or a quick draft before a full planning session — a browser-based tool covers the same core need without installation. The UniCloud360 University Timetable Generator lets you add subjects, rooms, and staff directly in the browser, auto-generate a conflict-free weekly grid, and export it as a PDF, with nothing to install and no account required.
How they compare
| Option | Best for | Strength | Setup required |
|---|---|---|---|
| FET (desktop software) | Complex, department-wide scheduling with many constraints | Deep constraint-based scheduling engine, free and open-source | Install the application, learn the interface, build a project file |
| UniCloud360 Timetable Generator | Fast, single-group or single-department scheduling | No installation, works entirely in the browser, PDF export in the same session | Open the page and start entering subjects |
When FET is still the better choice
For institutions doing genuinely complex, multi-department scheduling — where dozens of interacting constraints need to be solved simultaneously — FET’s dedicated engine is built for exactly that problem in a way a lighter browser tool isn’t trying to replicate. If your institution already has FET set up and staff trained on it, that existing investment is worth keeping for large-scale scheduling.
When a browser-based tool is the better fit
If the task is getting a working timetable out quickly — for one class group, a draft to review before a full planning cycle, or a schedule that doesn’t need FET’s full constraint engine — a browser-based generator gets there faster, since there’s no install step between deciding to build a timetable and actually building one. It’s also a practical option for testing a scheduling scenario before committing the time to set it up properly in FET.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free alternative to FET that works in the browser?
Yes. The UniCloud360 University Timetable Generator covers the same core workflow — subjects, rooms, staff, auto-generated conflict-free schedule — entirely in the browser, with no installation.
Is FET still a good choice?
Yes, for institutions doing complex, department-wide scheduling with many interacting constraints, FET’s dedicated engine is a strong option. For faster, smaller-scale scheduling, a browser tool is often the quicker path to a result.
Can I export a PDF from the browser-based tool?
Yes. The generated timetable exports as a print-ready, branded PDF directly from the Export tab, with a white-label option if you don’t want UniCloud360 branding included.
Do I need to choose one tool exclusively?
No. Many departments use a browser-based generator for quick drafts or smaller schedules, while reserving FET for institution-wide scheduling that genuinely needs its constraint-solving depth.
Does the browser-based tool avoid the same types of conflicts as FET?
It avoids the two most common hard conflicts — lecturer double-booking and unavailable-slot violations — automatically. FET’s engine can solve a broader and more customizable set of constraints, which matters more as scheduling complexity grows.
Final thought
FET and a browser-based generator solve overlapping problems at different scales — pick based on how complex your scheduling constraints actually are, not just which tool you’ve heard of first.
